Understand

The historic core of Frankfort is hidden in the deep valley of the Kentucky River, essentially invisible to travelers on Interstate 64. Author William Least Heat-Moon once wrote about the city, "If you're ever looking for the most hidden statehouse in America, look no farther than Frankfort." The river, whose main course runs from southeast to northwest, makes a rough S-curve through the city, dividing it into four major parts:

Downtown — The historic business district, in the valley and north of the river (which flows east-west at this particular point).

South Frankfort — Home to the State Capitol, in the valley and south of the river.

East Frankfort and West Frankfort — The more modern areas on either side of the valley.

Get in

By car

I-64 connects Frankfort with Lexington to the east and Louisville to the west. US 60 (which connects to Versailles) parallels I-64 most of its route through Kentucky. US 127 South connects Frankfort with the Blue Grass Pkwy and Harrodsburg to the south. US 127 North, a winding road, is the shortest route to Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. US 460 offers a short route to Georgetown (the Toyota plant) and I-75.

By train

Get around

Car Rental

Bus

Frankfort Transit, (502) 875-8565.

Taxi

Blue Grass Cab, (502) 682-3393.

Capital City Cab, (502) 875-5078.

See

Cemeteries

Daniel Boone’s Grave at Frankfort Cemetery, 215 East Main St., (502) 227-2403. The gravesite of Daniel and Rebecca Boone in a setting overlooking the city of Frankfort. Other notables buried in the cemetery are Presley Neville O' Bannon, first American to raise the American flag on foreign soil and inspire "The Shores of Tripoli" in the Marine hymn; artist Paul Sawyier; Joel T. Hart; Theodore O’Hara, author of "Bivouac of the Dead"; Vice President Richard M. Johnson and seventeen Kentucky Governors.

Greenhill Cemetery, Corner of East Main & US 60, (502) 564-7005. Features the only monument in the state honoring Kentucky's African American Civil War Soldiers. It is one of only four monuments in the country dedicated to African American Civil War Soldiers. The 14 ft. monument was erected by the Colored Women's Relief Corps in 1924.

Covered Bridge

Switzer Covered Bridge, KY 1261 Switzer off US 460 East. Built in 1855, this covered bridge is the only example of a Howe Trussed bridge in the state of Kentucky. It has been recently restored from major flood damage, which occurred in 1997. An area by the bridge offers a peaceful place to picnic.

Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery, 1001 Wilkinson Blvd., (502) 223-7641, [4]. Buffalo Trace Distillery is located on an ancient buffalo crossing that became a pathway for westward moving explorers, pioneers and settlers. Distilling began here over two centuries ago, making it the oldest distilling site in the United States. The distillery boasts 12 of the largest fermenters in the industry, and a four-story still tower.

Government Buildings

Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 West Broadway St., (502) 564-1792, [5]. Short walk includes 167,000 square foot Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, plus two National Historic Register treasures---the 1830s Greek Revival Old State Capitol and the 1850s Old State Arsenal. 12,000 years of rich Kentucky history, inspiring architecture, exhibits and collections examining Kentucky's culture, politics and military history.

Executive Mansion, (502) 564-8004. Located across from the Capitol building and overlooking the Kentucky River is the Governor's mansion, constructed of native limestone, was modeled after the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's summer villa. Tour includes the state dining room, ballroom, reception room and formal salon.

Floral Clock, (502) 564-3449. Located on the West Lawn of the Capitol Grounds and planted with thousands of colorful flowering plants, the face of this clock is 34 feet in diameter.

Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Coffee Tree Rd., off the East-West Connector (KY 676) [6]. Overlooking the city, the names of all Kentuckians who died in Vietnam are etched in granite beneath the memorial sundial, with the point of the gnomon’s shadow actually touching the veteran's name on the anniversary of his death. Recognized as one of the most original and unusual memorials in the nation.

Old Governor's Mansion, 420 High St., (502) 564-3449. The oldest official executive residence in the U.S. still in use. The federal mansion was home to 33 Kentucky governors from 1798-1914. Seven U.S. presidents visited. The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor.

Old State Capitol, Broadway and Lewis St., (502) 564-1792. This national landmark was Kentucky's seat of government from 1831 - 1910. Greek Revival structure includes a unique, self-supporting staircase held together by precision and pressure.

Kentucky State Capitol, Capital Ave., (502) 564-3449. Completed in 1910, the Beaux Arts design features 70 iconic columns, decorative murals and sculptures of Kentucky dignitaries. Also, the First Lady Doll Collection, changing history and culture exhibits are featured on the first floor.

Historic Homes

Berry Hill Mansion, 700 Louisville Rd., (502) 564-3000. Built in 1900, by George Franklin Berry, a prominent distiller, this Georgian Revival mansion is situated on a bluff overlooking the State Capitol. The most outstanding feature is an elaborate music room built in Gothic Revival style with pipes rising behind an intricately carved oak grill, with a massive cathedral organ. Wood carvers spent two years carving ornamentation for this one room.

Liberty Hall Historic Site, 218 Wilkinson St., (502) 227-2560, [7]. Liberty Hall (1796) is the Federalist style mansion of Kentucky's first senator, John Brown. This architectural masterpiece from Kentucky's first decade is lavishly decorated with local antiques owned by four generations of Browns that lived in the house. The grounds contain the largest formal boxwood garden in Kentucky with nearly three acres of beautiful, perennial and annual borders.

Orlando Brown House, 218 Wilkinson St., (502) 227-2560, [8]. The Greek-Revival Orlando Brown House, built in 1835, is the residence designed by Kentucky's most famous architect Gideon Shryock. It is splendidly furnished with antiques owned by the three generations of the Brown family that lived there until 1954.

Zeigler House, 509 Shelby St. Frank Lloyd Wright, recognized as the greatest American architect, designed his only house built in Kentucky for the Rev. Jesse R. Zeigler. The 1910 prairie style house, now completely restored by Jane and Jim Brockman, has a lighted stained glass case surrounding the fireplace at the ceiling, the only one designed by Wright during his prairie period.

Do

Josephine Sculpture Park, 3355 Lawrenceburg Rd (1/2 mi. east of Stewart Home School), ☎502-352-7082, [10]. open dawn until dusk. Josephine Sculpture Park is free and open every day from dawn until dusk. Experience our rotating exhibit of large outdoor sculptures and community artworks in the beauty of Kentucky's native, rural landscape. Enjoy the art and the outdoors on foot or on bike through artist-led or self guided tours. Bring the kids, bring the dog, or just bring yourself ...we'll see you at the park! Please visit josephinesculpturepark.org for more information.free.

Guided Tours

Frankfort Guided Tours, Capital City Museum, 325 Ann St., (502) 696-0607. Frankfort has over 70 historic sites to visit. Visitors may enjoy an entertaining and intriguing historic downtown Frankfort. Guided walking tours begin at The Capital City Museum. Reservations Required. You can also enjoy small group tours in a minivan. Driver-guide is an experienced history professional. Tours can accommodate up to five people.

Horseback Riding

A Little Bit of Heaven, US 127 North, (502) 223-8925. Guided trail rides and horse rentals for all levels. Picnic sites, hayrides, indoor classroom and restroom facilities. Cold drinks and snacks available. Various lesson packages for children and adults. Located 8 miles north of Frankfort. Come have fun.

Learn

Kentucky State University, East Main St., (502) 597-6000, [13]. KSU is a small, unique liberal studies university founded in 1886. Originally founded for the state's African American community during the era of legalized segregation, KSU has long been integrated, but retains much of its historic African American character. Hume and Jackson Halls are on the National Register. Jackson Hall contains a public art gallery which features exhibits by KSU students and the Center of Excellence for the Study of Kentucky African Americans. Blazer Library contains over 350,000 volumes, has a special African-American collection, and is open to the public. KSU has facilities available for meetings and conferences. Athletic events, concerts, art exhibits, theater productions and public lectures are available to the public.

Buy

Completely Kentucky, 237 Broadway, (502) 223-5240 or (800) 457-1990, [14]. Completely Kentucky is proud to offer the work from over 450 of Kentucky's best artisans. Large selection of Kentucky arts and crafts and Kentucky gourmet foods.

Jessie's Art Gallery, 39 Fountain Place, (502) 227-2495, [15]. Jessie's feature collectible reproductions of original oil paintings by America's finest Artists. In this secure site you will find Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Prints and Canvases, along with a large collection of the most popular Open Edition Prints available.

Rebecca-Ruth Candy & Factory Tours, 112 East Second St., (502) 223-7475 or (800) 444-3766, [17]. Rebecca-Ruth Candy is world famous as the "Originators of Bourbon Candy."® This business was co-founded in 1919 by two ladies, Rebecca and Ruth, at a time when few women ventured into business. Today Ruth Booe’s grandson is owner and operator of this unique confectionery landmark. Factory tour highlights include free samples, educational video and an antique cooking furnace with hand stirred copper kettles. Rebecca-Ruth makes over 100 varieties of confections and mail orders candy worldwide.

The Gift Box/ Candleberry's Tearoom & Cafe, 1500 Louisville Road (US 60West), ☎502-875-0485, [18]. 10am-5pm. A gift shop full of unique and one of a kind gifts. Browse the two floors for that very special gift for any ocassion. Adjacent tearoom/ cafe open for lunch 11am to 2pm Monday through Saturday.

Drink

Coffeehouses

Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe, 235 W Broadway St, (502) 875-3009, [24]. The Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe offers weekly live music by top regional and national musicians. Performances are typically of the bluegrass, folk, singer/songwriter, and Americana genres. Homemade soups, sandwiches, breakfast and desserts available all day, along with a wide selection of organic coffees and microbrew beers.

Sleep

Bed & Breakfast

Meek House, 119 East Third St., (502) 227-2566 or (866) 646-7650, [26]. This gothic revival home takes its name from the man who built it in 1869, Benjamin F, Meek, a silversmith who helped develop the Meek and Milam fishing reel. It is located within walking distance of the Kentucky State Capitol and many of Frankfort’s historic downtown attractions.

The Meeting House, 519 Ann St., (502) 226-3226, [27]. Enter a Circa 1849-Civil War Home with the charm and history of yesteryear. Located in the heart of the Historic District, you'll enjoy your stay in a home rich in the history of Frankfort's political forefathers.

Kentucky River Campground, Steele Branch Rd. off US 127 North (6 miles north of Frankfort), (502) 227-2465. Features electric and water hookups, primitive camping, and bathhouse, 25 ft. barbecue pit, two shelter houses, cable TV, RV supplies, propane gas, sewer hookups to all campsites, Kentucky River boat ramp, fishing, playground and laundry facilities. Check out the

Contact

Get out

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